CHILDREN from Belsay First School have unveiled an exhibition of art works inspired by ancient Greece. The artworks will be on display alongside objects from the Shefton Collection of Greek Archaeology in the magnificent Greek Revival setting of Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens.

Using this local history as inspiration, the school have worked with staff from the Great North Museum, Newcastle University, contemporary artist Mina Heydari-Waite and potter Graham Taylor to produce artwork inspired by Greek culture and architecture.

The Shefton Collection, held at the Great North Museum is the most important collection of archaeological material from the Greek world in the North of England.

The star piece at Belsay Hall will be a marble statuette of Nike dating from 100 BC – 100 AD. Standing at 77cm it is a striking piece demonstrating the high quality workmanship from the period.

Kevin Booth, Senior Curator at English Heritage, said: “Seeing what the children have created by using the story of Belsay Hall has been delightful and we’ve really enjoyed putting their artwork into the blank canvas of the hall.

"It has been lovely working with them as well as partnering up with Newcastle University and the Great North Museum.”

Belsay Hall was built in 1817 by Sir Charles Monck after his extended honeymoon to Greece. He moved his family the short distance from the castle to the Grecian inspired hall on Christmas day of the same year.

The exhibition runs until February 2019.